Agenda item

The Leader turned to the next report on the agenda, the Pill Master Plan. The cover report and link to the Master Planning document were included in the agenda pack.

One Newport, with the support of Welsh Government, commissioned an urban design and master planning organisation called The Urbanists to work with partners, businesses, and the community, in order to develop a challenging and aspirational Master Plan for Pill.

This followed concerns raised by Pill residents regarding a number of issues within the Ward.

A social enterprise called MELA Cymru were also involved in the work and undertook an in-depth community engagement exercise within the area.

The plan focused on a series of Community Ambitions and also recognised work already underway within the area.

Cabinet was asked to approve the strategic intentions, developed following extensive engagement with Pill residents, businesses, and partners, of the Master Plan.

Work began on the Master Plan in November 2021 and included a significant amount of community engagement, with 51 one to one interviews with key community stakeholders, 14 engagement events with targeted groups, 2650 individuals reached though social media and Pill Connects, and views gathered from 605 people from diverse backgrounds.

Following analysis of the geographic space, retail and service provision, green space, and community safety indicators, three Community Ambitions aligned to the community and business feedback were formed:

·        Improved green and public spaces

·        Better business and shopping offer and environment

·        Mix of community and youth facilities

The report also recognised work already underway, which evolved over the course of the work. This included Safer Pill, which reprioritised work following the results of the community engagement undertaken and continued to be jointly led by Newport City Council and Gwent Police.

The Master Plan also included work to improve communications, tackle fly-tipping and refuse, improve housing, provide better support and engagement for businesses, and improve the physical environment and green spaces.

The Master Plan was agreed by One Newport and must now be adopted by each partner.

The Leader felt it was important to reiterate, that Cabinet was agreeing to the strategic intentions of the Master Plan and to align decision making to the aspirations of the community, as detailed within the Master Plan.

The Leader added that Cabinet must ensure that it continued to work together as partners to identify and attract external funding to help support the delivery of key projects identified within the Master Plan. This is a long-term commitment and Cabinet must ensure that it continues to engage with the community to develop planning and achieve change.

Crucially, Cabinet will not over promise and under deliver for residents.

Comments of Cabinet Members:

§  Councillor Davies agreed that this is vital work to improve Pill and make it a prosperous place in which to live. Councillor Davies remarked that it was great to see the community ambitions realised with a key focus on quality of life for both children and adults Councillor Davies welcomed this, including prioritising play and youth community facilities as well as prioritising jobs, and opportunities being created for local people. Councillor Davies concluded that this is an aspirational project, and it is exciting to be part of the journey.

§  Councillor Harvey referred to the terminology used, ‘strong not wrong’ which she felt was a breath of fresh air, considering the negative comments usually directed at Pill.  Councillor Harvey reflected that her family lived there, and it had always been a vibrant place. The Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing considered that this was a wonderful idea for Pill and fully supported the report going forward.

§  From personal experience, Councillor Hughes agreed that Pill was one of the most exciting and diverse places to live in Newport, including the food, music and people.  Councillor Hughes recognised that there were huge challenges, but it gave an opportunity for the people of Pill to empower themselves and reach their full potential.

§  Councillor Clarke referred to the tough economic circumstances, and considered the positive knock-on effect the master plan would have in Newport.  Councillor Clarke was pleased to see that community engagement was at the forefront of the plan and remarked on the honesty of the document. The Cabinet Member commented that he was at a meeting earlier in the day, talking to one of the partners involved with this project who welcomed the opportunity to put their views forward and felt it was good that the council was listening.

§  The Leader mentioned that this was not a commitment to financial investment, but a commitment that asked partners to align their decision-making regarding services and/or developments within the Pill area with the aspirations and ambitions of the Master Plan. The Plan asked partners to remain committed to utilising resources in Pill in a way that best supported these ambitions, and to identify ways to tackle the challenges faced by the community. The Leader stated that Officers are tasked to continue to work with partners to identify and access external funding to deliver on the aims of Master Plan.

The Leader also felt it would be remiss not to acknowledge the support from Welsh Government in developing the master plan including funding.

Decision

Cabinet agreed to adopt the Master Plan as the key, strategic driver for decision making and service delivery within the Pillgwenlly Ward and tasked Officers to continue to work with Partners to identify and access external funding to deliver on the Master Plan.